I am a huge proponent of a high-quality skincare routine, however, I always make sure to mention that high-quality does not have to mean expensive. You can easily snag products that are just as good (if not better) as high-end from the drugstore and I have laid all of the best ones out for you in an easy-to-follow anti-aging skincare routine guide.
We are covering the basics of a quality anti aging skincare routine for both morning and night including which products to use as well as some others that are nice to have on hand. From gentle facial cleanser to sunscreen and facial oil, I have covered it all!
If you are new here, make sure to check out two more of my posts that go along with this one. One of the best budget skincare products and another of the best affordable skincare!
Anti Aging Skincare Routines
First off, let us dive into what a healthy skincare routine should include before we move on to the routine and products themselves.
Since you are here, I assume you understand the importance of a skincare routine. It is essential for keeping your skin both feeling and looking fresh. There are quite a few other benefits as well.
When it comes to crafting your ideal anti aging skincare routine, I want to emphasize the importance of a few products:
- Gentle Cleanser – Something to take off dirt, makeup, and extra oil. I don’t recommend using something with exfoliants (chemical or physical), just something very gentle!
- Moisturizer – This can be very simple! No need to go out and buy a moisturizer that has a million different anti-aging claims. Other products in your skincare routine can help you with specific goals.
- SPF – This is the number one product to use when it comes to an anti-aging skincare routine. If you do nothing else, just apply one in the morning, whether or not you go outside.
AM Anti Aging Skincare Routine
Step 1 – Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
About the Product: This is my favorite of this list of skin care products that is perfect for sensitive skin. It effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup without drying, which I love. Dermatologist-tested and free from common irritants, it’s the perfect daily cleanser to keep your skin feeling fresh and beautiful. Great for any skin type!
How I Use: Use 1-2 pumps on damps skin. Massage in circles and rinse with warm water.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Oftentimes I skip cleanser in the morning altogether. Instead, I’ll cleanse the skin with just warm water to wash off the previous night’s makeup. If your skin is dry, sensitive, or compromised, I recommend skipping a cleanser and using just water.
Step 2 – Vitamin C Serum: Timeless Vitamin C Serum
About the Product: This is your key to healthier-looking, glowy skin! If you’re trying to brighten up dark spots and improve your complexion, you’ll love the effects of a Vitamin C serum. Packed with a potent blend of vitamins C, E, and Ferulic Acid, this advanced formula promotes even tone and texture. It is a great product for those struggling with the appearance of fine lines. It is great for all skin types! This specific product is a really great alternative to the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic at a fraction of the price.
How I Use: Apply 1 pump to skin after cleansing.
Step 3 – Hydrating Serum – CosRX Snail Mucin Serum
About the Product: I can’t go without this product. It is infused with 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate which deeply hydrates your aging skin for a radiant complexion. With its lightweight formula, it absorbs quickly to deliver long-lasting hydration without weighing your skin down, leaving you with a natural, healthy glow.
How I Use: Apply 1-2 pumps to face, neck, and chest, layered with other serums.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This step can be skipped, but I like to apply this product both morning and evening. If you have very dry skin, I think you will really enjoy using it twice a day.
Step 4 – Moisturizer – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
About the Product: This is not only my top choice but the top choice of dermatologists for sensitive skin. This fragrance-free moisturizer is specially designed for sensitive skin, featuring a gentle formula packed with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin to keep your skin hydrated and nourished. It is lightweight and won’t clog pores, making it perfect for daily use to keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.
I absolutely love how hydrating it is without feeling too heavy. If you love the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream, you’re going to love this product! It’s a fantastic affordable alternative.
How I Use: Apply a quarter size amount to face, neck, and chest after serums.
Step 5 – SPF – Skin1004 Hyali-Cica Water Fit Sunscreen
About the Product: This is an awesome SPF that I am obsessed with and the most important step of your skincare routine, especially your anti-aging routine. Sun protection is a priority! With powerful SPF 50+ and PA++++ protection, this sunscreen ensures your skin stays shielded from both UVB and UV rays and takes care of your skin. Its ultra-lightweight, serum-like texture provides a breathable, dewy finish without any stickiness or white cast. It offers quick absorption similar to a moisturizer which is also a win for preventing sun damage. That is the best way to have younger-looking skin and healthy skin overall.
I personally have been into Asian sunscreens more than American formulations. They have more advanced filters for sun protection, and they are way more elegant formulas. No white cast, no sunscreen smell, no eye sting. They’re seriously lovely! I was able to find quite a few of them on Amazon, but it has become increasingly tricky to get an authentic product on there, so I order through a K-Beauty website.
How I Use: Apply 1/4 tsp to face, neck, and chest.
Shop more of my favorite Asian sunscreens here! I prefer to order them from a K-Beauty website to ensure the products are authentic and that I am not getting overcharged. Prices are always better!
PM Anti Aging Skincare Routine
Step 1 – Makeup Removal: e.l.f. Holy Hydration Cleansing Balm
About the Product: This is my go-to for removing makeup and the biggest plus is that it is great for the skin! This solid balm transforms into a luxe oil, then into a nourishing milk texture, ensuring a clean rinse without residue. It is infused with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides which leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and deeply hydrated. It is great for all skin types including those with dry skin.
How I Use: Apply a quarter size amount to the face and neck onto dry skin. Rub the product around in circles to break up the makeup and oils, then emuslify with some water and rinse. I always follow up with a cleanser.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you wear makeup it is important to double cleanse in the evening. Double cleansing is taking some sort of makeup removing balm or oil first and then follow up with a traditional cleanser. The elf cleansing balm is absolutely my favorite in the first step of double cleansing!
Step 2 – Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
I already shared about this in the AM routine, but yes, I do use this in the evening after my cleansing balm! It is so lovely and gentle, and removes the excess makeup that the cleansing balm does not get.
Step 3 – Hydrating Serum: CosRX Snail Mucin Serum
I use this hydrating serum in the evening, as well!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This can be skipped if you want to simplify your routine, but is an amazing hydrating serum, especially for dry skin.
Step 4 – Peptide Serum: Timeless Matrixyl Synthe’6 Serum
About the Product: This is a great secret weapon for aging skin and one of my favorite anti-aging products that offers some of the best anti-aging ingredients. With a potent 2% concentration of Matrixyl Synthe’6, this serum gives a collagen production boost, reducing fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful look of your skin texture thus slowing down the aging process. It lessens the appearance of wrinkles leading to youthful-looking skin, if that is one of your skin concerns! Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, it ensures great hydration levels, leaving your skin plump and radiant while reducing the signs of aging for mature skin. Use daily for best results as it is a necessary step.
I have learned the benefits of peptides are super important to incorporate in your skincare routine, so I added in this peptide serum and love it! Best of all, this product is so affordable.
How I Use: Apply 4 drops to the face, neck, and chest. It can be layered with other serums.
Step 5 – Tretinoin: Agency Custom Formula
About the Product: – A retinol product is THE best product to add into an anti-aging skincare routine. There are varying concentrations that you can get both over-the-counter and as a prescription. In my experience, I would rather just get the gold standard of retinol – Tretinoin (the prescription version). It is the most studied and is going to really give you the best results. Tretinoin used to be pretty expensive and you had to visit a dermatologist to get a prescription, but now there are so many amazing telehealth/online options. I highly recommend you read up on the benefits of Tretinoin, because that is a whole broad topic that is too in-depth to go into here.
My personal favorite way to get my Tretinoin prescription is through Agency. You get a completely custom formula prescribed by one of their dermatology providers. Along with Tretinoin, they will include other ingredients in your formula. Mine has some added niacinimide and tranexamic acid. You can also start at the lowest strength and build up as your skin tolerates it.
I also highly recommend starting very slow with Tretinoin – start with once a week and add in more days as you skin can tolerate it. Slow and steady with this product!
How to Use: Apply a pea-size amount to face, neck, and chest. If it is irritating or my skin feels compromised, I’ll skip a few days a week, or use every other day.
Step 6 – Moisturizer: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
I mentioned this product above in the AM routine, but I also recommend it for your evening skincare routine! This moisturizer is just simply amazing and pairs so well with all of my other products.
Step 7 – Facial Oil: The Ordinary Plant-Derived Squalane
About the Product: This is your solution for healthy hydration that is perfect for aging skin. This plant-derived formula adds moisture to your skin and will leave it feeling refreshed. With its ability to maintain healthy-looking skin and provide enhanced barrier support, it’s a must-have for your skincare routine whether you have dry or oily skin.
I love to use this product as a final step to seal in all of my skincare. My skin absolutely loves squalane. It also has never broken me out! It feels like a very lightweight facial oil on the skin.
How to Use: Apply half a dropper to face, neck, and chest as a last step in skincare.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This step can certainly be skipped. If your moisturizer is doing enough for you, no need to add this facial oil into your routine.
Other Amazing Drugstore Skincare Favorites
A skincare routine is the perfect place to start, however, if you want to branch out a tad, these 6 skincare favorites are worth the money!
- Mario Badescu Lip Mask – The absolute best lip mask I’ve ever found! I think it’s a million times better than the Laneige, at a more affordable price!
- Maree Eye Gel Masks – These eye masks are so good at depuffing the eye area! If you are experiencing some puffiness, I highly recommend wearing them in the morning for a little pick-me-up!
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Balm – This is a staple for me in colder climates or if my skin is feeling extra dry and compromised. I will skip my tretinoin and use only hydrating products with this slathered on top. This is a very thick balm that will absolutely help you repair your skin barrier.
- – This is a do-it-all kind of product that everyone needs in their bathroom cabinet. It can be used for so many different things – lips, around the eyes, for slugging, super dry skin, etc. I will never be without this ointment!
- – If you are looking for an exfoliating treatment for the skin, you are going to love this product! It is rather strong and potent, and it is to be used sparingly. You apply this to freshly cleansed skin and let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then wash it off. It will leave you with glowing, exfoliated skin!
- Australian Gold Tinted Mineral Sunscreen – If you love a tinted sunscreen, you’ve got to try this one! It’s very affordable. While I don’t think this is going to give you any coverage, it does have a slight tint to take away the white cast a mineral sunscreen would usually leave behind.
These are affordable products that worth trying!